SECRETS of a wartime American mission that brought hundreds of GIs to Tyneside have been unveiled in a new book.

Over 65 years ago, hundreds of specially-trained US soldiers were flown into the region as radar and searchlight operators, with many going on to fight alongside North East troops in the Normandy landings.

The soldiers, from the 225 Searchlight Battalion Anti-Aircraft, were rushed to the UK in 1944 when Tyneside radar operators were drafted south to guard the channel.

Army chiefs feared that the Germans would launch revenge attacks on Britain following heavy bombing across Nazi strongholds.

Split into 36 small units, the Americans were posted in a grid formation to cover the whole of the region from Blyth in Northumberland, to Easington, County Durham, with highly-sophisticated searchlights, radar systems and anti-aircraft guns.

Working with the Royal Artillery’s 30th Northumbrian Anti-Aircraft brigade, the 850 Americans kept Tyneside’s skies free from German attacks.

They were the only large American unit to be based in the region during the war.

Amateur historian Gavin Purdon, from Chester-le-Street, researched the Americans’ stay in the North East for his new book, Radar Warriors.

“A lot of people all across the North East remember the Americans being here but what they did was kept a secret,” said retired Gavin, 60. “The technology was highly sophisticated and kept hidden.

“A lot of people who were children at the time remember being fascinated by the Yanks, with their glamorous uniforms and chewing gum. As the troops were based in small units rather than at a barracks, they really became part of their local communities.

“They would be invited into people’s homes for dinner and made welcome in the local village.”

He has also spoken to several of the former American soldiers, some now in their 90s. “They remember their three months in the North East very vividly as well,” said Gavin.

“One, who was based at Waldridge Fell, could describe the village and the pub to me exactly. He said he remembered Newcastle Brown Ale and fish and chips - the original fast food.

“He still had a very high regard for the North East.” A few lucky Yanks even took home North East brides after the war. But there were a few teething problems for the soldiers - at first, some locals mistook them for invading Germans thanks to their strange uniforms and helmets and tried to fight them off.

After three months in the region’s countryside, the American soldiers travelled south to aid in the Normandy landings. Their unit was based on Normandy’s beaches, scanning the skies while Allied troops made their attack on Nazi-occupied France.

Gavin’s book tells the story of the American soldiers and their experiences here, with photographs from the time as well as maps and drawings.

Radar Warriors, £14.99, is on sale at The Bookcase bookshop, Front Street, Chester-le-Street, and via Gavin on 07887 640398 or gavid@purdon6719.freeserve.co.uk .